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Will BJP give Advani Lok Sabha Speaker’s post?

LiveMint 15-05-2014PTI

New Delhi: New power equations in Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) appear to be the focus of hectic consultations between party leaders and Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) brass amid questions over what role senior leaders like L.K. Advani and Sushma Swaraj would have in a Narendra Modi-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA) government.

Ahead of Lok Sabha election results on Friday, BJP president Rajnath Singh held a significant meeting with Advani, where he is reported to have mooted the idea of Lok Sabha Speaker’s post for the party patriarch. Advani, former deputy prime minister in the Atal Bihari Vajpayee government, is understood to be disinclined to accept the offer since he prefers a political role—possibly be the NDA chairman.

Earlier in the day, senior BJP and RSS leaders met at Rajnath Singh’s residence. The meeting was attended by RSS pointsman in BJP Suresh Soni besides Ram Lal, Saudan Singh and V. Sathish. The two-hour meeting saw discussions on issues pertaining to steps to be taken in case the party comes to power and roles various leaders will have in the government and the organization, sources said. Narendra Modi’s close aide and BJP general secretary Amit Shah also joined them later.

Former BJP chief Nitin Gadkari, meanwhile, met RSS leaders at the Sangh office in Jhandewalan to discuss the possible role of party elders and others who could be spared for government. Shah also joined in later.

Sources said the party is considering drastic changes in the organization in the wake of its possible government formation.